Dog needs surgery for a torn ACL

[Anonymous]

Our German Shepherd needs surgery for a torn ACL and we have been quoted a price of $4000 for the surgery. Alternatively, we were told that we could take the dog to Virginia Tech's vet school and have it done there for about $2600.

Just wondering if others have been faced with the same surgery and whether there are competent vets within driving distance -say a couple of hours one way - who can perform the surgery at a more reasonable price than the $4000 we were quoted.

We live in Northern VA

[Anonymous]

WTF, can't you buy a new one for that price, what a rip off

[Anonymous]

We were told there were essentially two orthopedic vets in the DC area who do ACL surgeries. One in Frederick, MD and one in Annapolis Junction, MD. We opted for the latter and paid the $4k (we were told the one in Frederick would be about $500 cheaper but didn't have the same level of expertise). The surgery was successful but bear in mind that there is greater then a 50% chance that the other ACL will be torn within a few years (which just happened to us and we are scheduled for the second surgery next week). What's painful is is that the procedure takes less then a half hour and the vet facility (which is huge) is decked out like the Ritz Carlton. I guess you get what you pay for but there are some super rich ortho vets out there....

[Anonymous]

GET ANOTHER OPINION!!! We got totally screwed by a vet in Northern Virginia. He insisted that our German Shepherd needed surgery to repair a torn ACL. We spent $900 on XRays and tests and were prepared to do the surgery. We took him with us on a road trip to visit my parents and I had him checked by their vet. He diagnosed Pano and suggested we give him him paid meds and watch him. A couple of weeks later, he was perfectly fine. The vet back home told me that it was inexcusable for the D.C. vet to have suggested surgery. He said pano is one of the most common causes of leg pain in GSDs and that EVERY vet knows that.

I think most vets fall into the same category as dentist...crooks.

[Anonymous]

We went through this with our chihuahua. I think it was 2,500 when all was said and done. Since he was such a small dog they repaired his ligament, but in larger dogs they sometimes suggest the tplo which I know is more expensive. I know people think we're nuts for spending that much, but it was the best decision I've ever made. He's totally healthy and back to his happy running self.

[Anonymous]

this is why pet insurance is a good thing to have.

[Anonymous]

Thank you Mr. After Thought/ I Told You So.....

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the size of the dog. We have a beagle mix and were sent to the one in Annapolis Junction. We then went to a holistic vet place in Bethesda and they said that we could just rest him and see how it went. In November they said we'd need surgery. We've rested him (very, very short walks for 6 weeks, than gradually increasing length, but still much shorter than before) and carry him up and down the stairs (unless he sneaks up/down without us noticing). He's improved so much. He may eventually need the surgery, but there is not guarantee that the surgery will work or that the results will last. Try resting the dog completely for 6 weeks to see if there's any improvement first.

[Anonymous]

There's a vet in Richmond that only does surgeries and dentals and their whole mission is to stop euthanasia due to expensive surgeries. I went there and saved about $700 on my cat's dental. It was just under $200 for the blood tests, dental and one tooth extraction (and they will do as many extractions as needed for the flat price).

I went here -- great place, great folks and worth the trip. Prices are also on their site.

http://www.affordablepetsurgery.com/

[Anonymous]

Hey folks,
I've been in your situation: Dog in pain, surgery too expensive. I would strongly suggest conservative management. Especially since the chance of re-injuring the ACL is a such a large possibility for those dogs who've torn one before. I bought an A-Trac brace from this company called WoundWear and it's great. My dog was able to put weight on his leg while wearing the brace and he could be mobile around the house without me worrying that he was going to do more damage! Even though I pray he never re-injures himself again, I have the brace if he ever (knock on wood) needs it again!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info about the brace. I'm sharing it with DH (I'm 19:03).

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately there are other things that may be wrong with dog that they won't see until they do the surgery. We just had our dog's second knee done at Annapolis Junction. While doing the surgery they also noted a torn miniscus, which they also fixed. Said the torn miniscus in itself is very painful and would not have been addressed with a brace or holistic approach.... That being said, this is the LAST surgery I'm springing for. Only did it because dog is only 5 years old. I also think the chances of injuring the other ACL is more like 80% vs the 30% usually quoted..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a vet in Richmond that only does surgeries and dentals and their whole mission is to stop euthanasia due to expensive surgeries. I went there and saved about $700 on my cat's dental. It was just under $200 for the blood tests, dental and one tooth extraction (and they will do as many extractions as needed for the flat price).

I went here -- great place, great folks and worth the trip. Prices are also on their site.

http://www.affordablepetsurgery.com/

Thanks for posting this.

[Anonymous]

OP here: thanks for all the responses. Very helpful information all around.

[Anonymous]

I'm on day 4 of sleeping with the dog after her TPLO/ACL surgery. Recovery is a PITA. Will be much easier when she has the stitches removed on Monday so I don't have to watch her around the clock when she's not wearing the E-collar....